Bridge Ahoy!

The begins with a very nicely-drawn shot of a harbor near a big city with automobiles being loaded onto big ferry boat ("Bluto's Ferry). The art on these 1930s black-and-white cartoons was outstanding times and sometimes overlooked because of Popeye's popularity as a personality.

This also is one of those Popeye episodes where our hero does not know Bluto, and vice- versa. He's just some big bully, as usual, that Popeye has to deal with sooner or later. He winds up having to deal with him on top of a half-built bridge. (Only in cartoons can a couple of people build a huge bridge within days or minutes!. Here Olive feeds Wimpy a hamburger and he sends up a rivet and Popeye stamps it into a girder.

The ending of this cartoon provides what has to be the greatest feat Popeye has ever accomplished in a few seconds. You have to see it to believe it and it made me just laugh out loud.

In order to save the fares for a ferry crossing, Popeye and Olive decide, along with Wimpy, to build a fancy bridge. Of course, Bluto, the guy who runs the ferry is ticked and fights ensue. The key to these animated features comes from the cleverness of the confrontations in the pre-spinach period of the film. This has some nice things, including Olive getting her feet tickled and Popeye's head being used as a punching bag.

Bluto runs the ferry across the river, but he charges too much. So Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Wimpy start building a bridge. Bluto is not going to let things go on without his interfering in this pretty good episode in the Fleischer's long-running cartoon series.

The rate of gags is pretty swift here, and the animation techniques are top-notch for the era. The gag that Popeye and Bluto can pretty much dismantle the bridge bare-handed is a bit startling, especially once we see it assembled with cars racing across is. But it's all in good, clean if violent fun.

Although Dave Fleischer is, as always, listed as director, it would be more accurate to say he was the producer and the two lead animators the directors.

This starts with a diddy "Let's Build a Bridge Today" instead of the usual Popeye theme. Bluto runs a ferry service across a river and treats Popeye badly. Wimpy tries to get on at the last minute. When he doesn't have the $2 fare, Bluto throws him overboard and Popeye saves him. Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Wimpy start building a bridge which threatens to end Bluto's business. Bluto has other ideas.

This is a classic Popeye which got colorized later. It has the four classic Popeye characters. Bluto is a sailor of sorts although Popeye is less so. There is some fun to be had and I like the final move.

Dave Fleischer was responsible for many gems. Ones that were amusing and charming, though over-cuteness did come through in some efforts and the stories were always pretty thin, with appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques.

'Bridge Ahoy!' is classic Popeye the Sailor. It is great and never less than very funny and most of them even hilarious, for me one of my favourite Popeye cartoons and one of the best Popeye/Olive Oyl/Bluto outings. Have always enjoyed many of the Popeye cartoons a good deal and like Popeye very much, Fleischer's efforts were always well animated and scored with lots of entertainment value and great chemistry between Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto. 'Bridge Ahoy!' has much of makes the Popeye series so appealing in its prime era and does nothing to waste the three main characters or make them less interesting.

The story is an interesting and beautifully paced one, never being dull, if formulaic (not uncommon with the Popeye cartoons). The humour and gags make it even more entertaining, the best parts are properly wild and are hilarious. The ending is one of my favourite endings of all the Popeye cartoons.

All the characters are great, though Olive Oyl's material is not quite as great as Popeye and Bluto's, though her and Popeye's roles are enjoyable and make them and their cause relatable. It is more with Popeye and Bluto where the cartoon especially entertains. The three are spot on and their chemistry drives 'Bridge Ahoy!' and has so much energy. Popeye is always amusing and likeable enough but for me Bluto is here the funnier and more interesting character. Wimpy is a good presence.

Furthermore, the animation is beautifully drawn and with enough visual detail to not make it cluttered or static and lively and smooth movement. The music is also outstanding, lots of merry energy and lush orchestration, adding a lot to the action and making the impact even better without being too cartoonish. Fleischer's direction is always accomplished and his style is all over it.

Voice acting is dynamic and of very good quality on the whole, Mae Questel is a good fit for Olive Oyl, the voice that most sticks in my mind for the character and who voiced her the best, but Gus Wickie is even better and gives Bluto so much life. Jack Mercer fares the same as Questel for Popeye.

All in all, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox